• Question: Are nitrites in hot dogs linked to cancer?

    Asked by dizzyg12 to Lou on 20 Nov 2013.
    • Photo: Louise Brown

      Louise Brown answered on 20 Nov 2013:

      I didn’t know there was nitrites in hot dogs so I had to google that! I like hot dogs as well :/.

      Nitrites are converted to nitrosamines in our body, which have been known to cause cancer in animals, but there doesn’t seem to be much research in people. Meat can be preserved in other ways too, like smoking, but that might also increase potential exposure to carcinogenics (chemicals that cause cancer).

      Cooking meat such as chicken at very high temperatures is thought to create carcinogenics (called heterocyclic amines).

      I won’t give up eating either, as there is research and things in the news about everything giving you cancer. I think everything in moderation (not smoking! or sunbeds! NO!) is fine.

Comments

  • Photo: Simon

    Simon commented on :

    Dizzg12

    There is a much greater risk of colon cancer in people who consume lots of processed meat and we shouldn’t dismiss the risk as a scare. There is strong evidence that for every extra 100g of processed meat consumed in an average day (sausages, bacon, ham) the risk of colon cancer more or less doubles. Certainly occasional consumption is fine, but regular high intake of nitrites and nitrosamines is a big risk for cancer.